No known cause for escape of 120,000 fish from Huon Aquacultue pen

Environmental groups have hit out after yet another mass salmon escape, claiming it could cause chaos in the state’s waterways. Some are calling for fish farms to move their operations ashore. LATEST >>

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A TASMANIAN aquaculture giant is “hugely concerned” following another mass fish loss with no known cause.

Huon Aquaculture CEO Peter Bender said on Wednesday morning it was discovered a salmon pen moored at their Yellow Bluff lease has a tear in its inner net, resulting in the escape of more than 120,000 fish weighing about 550 grams.

This comes after the company lost more than 50,000 4kg Atlantic salmon following a pen fire last week that remains under investigation.

Frances and Peter Bender of Huon Aquaculture. Picture SUPPLIED

“The integrity and structure of the Fortress Pen has not been compromised. While the weather was challenging over the past few days, the sea state was relatively calm,” Mr Bender said.

“The direction of the prevailing winds would indicate that weather is not the cause of the net tear.”

Mr Bender said the incident was reported to the state government.

“This incident, coupled with the fire at a pen in the Lower Channel last week, is hugely concerning,” he said.

“Crews have continued working through the night to assess and review this incident with no clear cause identified.

“Internal investigations in relation to last week’s fire at a pen in the Lower Channel are also still ongoing with no clear cause yet identified.”

Environmental groups have hit out at the disaster, claiming the fugitive salmon could cause chaos in the state’s waterways.

However Mr Bender said due to their small size the salmon that escaped on Wednesday were unlikely to survive in a marine environment.

Environment Tasmania said a mass of introduced species into Storm Bay was deeply concerning.

“Salmon escape management in Tasmania has turned into a circus. Each time this happens, the companies run spin about how much fun their escapes will be to catch,” strategy director Laura Kelly said.

“They purposely conceal the damage they cause and the Tasmanian Government simply regurgitates industry spin.”

A Huon Aquaculture fish pen moored at its Yellow Bluff lease in Storm Bay had a tear in its inner net, resulting in the loss of more than 120,000 salmon. Picture: Huon Aquaculture

Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection co-chairman Peter George said claims Atlantic salmon were not a threat to Tasmanian waterways were based on incomplete scientific evidence.

“Even the scientists say they don’t know exactly what happens to escaped salmon, how they survive, for how long and to what extent they become predators,” he said.

“This escape is just one more reason why the industry needs to get out of our waters and move ashore as is happening everywhere else in the world.”

Primary Industries and Water Minister Guy Barnett was disappointed to hear of the recent damage.

“It’s a big concern,” he said.

“It’s a very important part of our productive industries. We support a sustainable growth in the salmon industry right around Tasmania.

“From Huon Aquaculture’s point of view, they employ so many Tasmanians across the state. It’s really important we back them, we say thank you for their support for Tasmanians — particularly in those rural and regional areas.”

Mr Barnett confirmed Huon Aquaculture had been in touch with the EPA.

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